Shannon O'Brien on Abortion

Former State Treasurer; Democratic Challenger MA Governor

History of protecting women's right to choose

O'Brien, as a state legislator, had a strong pro-choice voting record in both the House and Senate. She voted to protect the accessibility of abortion services for all women; helped ensure passage of the Clinic Access Bill;
supported efforts to create buffer zones around abortion clinics; and co-sponsored legislation to create funding for abortion counseling for victims of rape and incest.

Changed her mind on abortion in 1990s

O'Brien defended changing her stance on abortion while she was a state lawmaker in the 1980s, when she opposed the practice except in cases of rape, incest or danger to a woman's health. She said voters could trust she would not change again because she
had a "decade-long record in support of a woman's right to choose."

O'Brien said she changed her mind about abortion after listening to other women. "I determined that health included a woman's being able to control her own body," she said.

Source: Kevin Rothstein, The Patriot Ledger
Apr 2, 2002

Will continue strong record of support for choice

Shannon supports a woman's right to choose, and as a state legislator, had a strong pro-choice voting record for eight years in the House and Senate. Shannon voted to protect the accessibility of abortion services for all women;
helped ensure passage of the Clinic Access Bill; supported efforts to create buffer zones around abortion clinics; and co -sponsored legislation to create funding for abortion counseling for victims of rape and incest.